Next Week’s News: December 11-17

This blog post highlights some events and news just for the upcoming week. The primary source of information about what’s happening at Grace Church is our weekly newsletter – for full news and events please subscribe to the e-vangelist!

Forum: The Art of the Season

Please join us for a special guest speaker at our Sunday Forum on December 11 at 9:30 AM in the parish hall. Nichole Rawlings is the Gallery Director at Brenau University, and her talk will be on different representations of the Nativity of Jesus in various pieces of art work. Her background is truly impressive, with a BA in art history (with minors in studio art and Italian Studies) from Elon University and an MA in art history with an Italian Renaissance specialization from American University. Nichole’s presentation will use a powerpoint that will delight and amaze, and there will be time for questions and discussion as well. All are welcome at this special offering.

Blue Christmas Worship

Blue? Yes, blue as in “the blues”. As in “I am feeling blue.” Not everyone is up and cheery for the Christmas holidays. Dealing with the death of a loved one, facing life after divorce or separation, coping with the loss of a job, living with cancer or some other disease that puts a question mark over the future, and a number of other human situations make parties and joviality painful for many people. Come join us for a service that remembers that, and offers time for reflection and acceptance, and offers healing and hope in times of darkness. Our Blue Christmas Worship will be held Sunday, December 11 at 5:30 PM in the chapel.

Vestry Nominations Invited

Our Annual Parish Meeting will be held Wednesday, January 25 and one matter of business to be addressed will be the election of four new vestry members. To that end, nominations for new vestry members are invited. Self nominations are welcomed, as are nominations of one parishioner by another. If nominating someone else, please secure that person’s permission before doing so. If you would like to make a nomination, please email Kathie Futrell or stop by the Parlor and speak with her between 9:30 AM—10:30 AM on Sunday, December 11.

Candlelight Café: December 14

On December 14, parishioners are encouraged to come relax in Grace Church’s last Candlelight Café of the holiday season!

PROGRAM at 6:30 PM
Come join us for a cup of mulled cider or mulled wine and an evening of sharing and singing together the carols of the season led by Julie Rossi.

A nursery and childcare are available by reservation only. Older children are encouraged to participate.

Soup & Salad Supper Deadline

Wednesday, December 14 is the deadline to make a reservation if you’d like to attend the Soup & Salad Supper prior to our service of Advent Lessons & Carols on December 18. A meal of beef stew or baked potato soup, tossed salad, rolls, and assorted cakes, will be offered at 5:00 PM. Cost is $6 for adults and youth in grades 6-12. Children 5th grade and under are free.

The service of Advent Lessons and Carols will start at 6:00 PM. This beautiful service, an Anglican tradition, is meant to help us prepare for Christmas. Scripture lessons will be read and Advent carols sung by the choir and the congregation. Please make note that the service will include the use of incense.

Draw the Nativity

Kids up to 12th grade are invited to contribute drawings of the Feast of the Nativity to publish in the bulletin for the pageant service on at 4:00 PM on Christmas Eve. Submit artwork by Wednesday, December 14 on the form that can be printed at www.gracechurchgainesville.org/download/drawnativity2016.pdf

Christmas Poinsettias

Friday, December 16 is the deadline to make a donation for Christmas poinsettias. Please fill out a Christmas Flowers form and return it to the office. Contributions may be made in thanksgiving for or in memory of loved ones, friends and family. Acknowledgement will be published in the Christmas Eve worship bulletins.

Patrick Kelley Memorial Blood Drive

There will be a LifeSouth Blood Drive in the Grace Church parish hall on Saturday, December 17 from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. This annual blood drive is held in memory of Patrick Kelley. To give blood you must be in good health, 17 years or older, or 16 with parental permission, weigh at least 110 pounds and show a valid photo I.D. No appointment is necessary.

Baptism

The next date for Holy Baptism is Sunday, January 8. Please contact Brenda Morgan if you would like to be baptized or have a child to be baptized.